Miguel’s Story: Imagine a toddler who has to search for food to feed himself and his baby brother. Imagine the same toddler witnessing his mother shoot up, sell drugs and receive daily beatings. Abandoned, he enters into foster care.

Phillip’s Story: Imagine a baby that is conceived during a time that both parents are active drug users and end up in jail many times for DUI’s and violence. That same baby ends up in foster care longer than the time he has ever spent with his parents.

Garrett’s Story: Imagine a three-year-old found wondering the streets, cold, naked and hungry, trying to find help since his mother has been beaten up and he has been left unattended to care for his two younger siblings. Imaging this same child entering foster care and getting kicked out of two preschools due to his violent behavior. Imagine this child having to be placed into a special day care center specifically trained to help abused children.

Samantha’s Story: Imagine a two-year-old little girl who has been so severely neglected by her parents that she will not let anyone get close to her. The same child has never been back to a doctor or had immunizations since birth. The child, still in diapers, is placed in foster care and has had to have surgery for an STD. She has nightmares for a year regarding the abuse she received.

Shelby’s Story: Imagine an eight-month-old girl who only weighs eleven pounds and is pale and ill with a fever from an ear infection she’s had for three straight weeks. Imagine this baby’s head being flat on the back due to neglect and rarely being held.

Who will help these children? Generous donors to Metro United Way and to Family & Children First!

Miguel & Phillip: Family & Children First provided one-on-one weekly counseling sessions for the last two years. Miguel, now turning eight years old, loves drawing, writing and communicating with others. Phillip, now six years old, loves eating just about everything, enjoys plants, as well as lots of hugs and kisses.

Garrett and Samantha: Family & Children First provided one-on-one weekly counseling sessions for the last three years. The Child Advocacy Center provided abuse evaluations, while Family Place provided care and nurturing for one year. Garrett, now six years old, loves all kinds of sports and making his siblings laugh. Samantha, now turning five years old, is a “Mommy’s Girl” and loves to do prissy girl things.

Shelby: Family & Children First provided one-on-one weekly counseling sessions for one year. Shelby, now three years old, is a “Daddy’s Little Tomboy” and loves to get rough with her brothers and play in the dirt. She is a trivia buff. She could tell you how many bones are in the human body and all about insects.

You see, all five of these children were adopted into our family after being placed with us in foster care during the most fragile times of their lives. During the adoption process, my husband and I were blessed with giving birth to our son, Seth. All six children love each other tremendously and continue to teach each other to always have hope and love for their fellow man.

Seth is the child who will benefit most. He will gain so much love and guidance throughout a long and bright future in a family that has been healed by a community of givers. My husband and I would like to personally thank you for helping our children to heal. We encourage you to continue giving to support such a worthy causes as the children in our own community. We can make a difference … as you can see

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